Oh, sure, free parking, too.  Not likely, I don’t think so.  But certainly bars and restaurants offer up snacks and low priced items to have you take a seat when things are slow and the business plan they created ain’t doing it.  But be aware: That $1 oyster or “free” whatever-it-is, some delicious and salty item, comes with beer that runs $9 a pint or cocktails that run between $12-15.

On a more rarified level: The reviews and comments about restaurants written by many observers are comped: The establishment buys the food and drinks and hopes to hear good things subsequently.

As Drew Nieporent, the great restaurateur, told me: “The food always tastes better when it’s free.”